Although the recently concluded One-Day International and Twenty20 series between India and Pakistan took place without any unwanted incidents, the relations between the two countries have now forced Pakistan athletes off Indian soil. PHOTO: AFP
It is becoming difficult for the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) to accommodate Pakistan at the International Cricket Council’s (ICC) Women’s World Cup amid soaring cross-border tension.
Pakistan hockey players returned home yesterday after protests by a hardline right-wing political party of India who demanded end to involvement of Pakistan citizens in sports and other fields. Consequently, the BCCI has started to search for other venues to move the World Cup from Mumbai, where Shiv Sena has a strong hold.
However, so far the India board – which has informed the ICC about the situation – has been unable to find an alternate venue. The World Cup is scheduled to be played on four grounds in Mumbai from January 31.
Ahmedabad refuses to hold event
According to Press Trust of India (PTI), the Gujarat Cricket Association (GCA) refused to play host to the upcoming tournament after it was approached by the BCCI.
“BCCI had asked us whether Ahmedabad would be in a position to host the ICC Women’s World Cup 2013,” said GCA Secretary Rajesh Patel. “But we have refused to host the matches here following the tension on the border. It’s up to the ICC and BCCI to decide whether to go ahead with the matches at the same venue or shift them to an alternate place.”
‘Reputation at stake’
According to an official close to the matter, the BCCI is desperate to resolve the matter amicably as its image to host global events is at stake.
“The India board is looking for ways to tackle the issue,” the official told The Express Tribune. “It doesn’t want to lose hosting and neither does it want the withdrawal of the Pakistan team. It’s a tricky situation for them and they are in contact with the ICC on the matter. They have started searching for alternate venues to accommodate Pakistan team.”
PCB chief wants venue shifted to South Africa
Meanwhile, PCB chief Zaka Ashraf suggested that the World Cup be shifted to South Africa.
“The Women’s World Cup is an ICC event,” said Ashraf, according to NDTV. “If the security is not good enough in India, then the world governing body should consider shifting it to a neutral venue like South Africa or somewhere else.
“I would want to leave it to ICC to decide. The entire tournament has to go to a neutral venue and a few matches cannot be shifted to another country and rest play somewhere else. South Africa could be a good option because of the weather, good infrastructure and strong cricket at the domestic level.”
Reacting to reports that the ICC might decide to go ahead with the tournament in India without the Pakistan team, Ashraf said it was an international event and he believes ICC will not do anything like that.
“It can’t take place without Pakistan. I think that would be strange because Pakistan is a full member and we have a very good women’s team.”
Rajesh Patel
“The BCCI had asked us whether Ahmedabad would be in a position to host the ICC Women’s World Cup 2013. But we have refused to host the matches here following the tension on the borders.”
Zaka Ashraf
“Definitely, the Women’s World Cup cannot take place without Pakistan. I think that would be strange because Pakistan is a full member and we have a very good women’s team.”
Published in The Express Tribune, January 17th, 2013.
COMMENTS (21)
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why cant the ICC and BCCI do what Zaka has suggested and move the tournament out of India. These problems would not arise if India and Pakistan decided not to participate.
No one played with South Africa while it promoted aparthied, why should the rules be different for Pak while it is promoting terrorism. If Pak stayed at home there would be no problems in the tournament.
@Vikas: What an unpleasant tone by a person from the host country....if there are terrorist threats to the Pakistani team they should leave immediatly.....imagine they are at the mercy of people who tell them not to "act smart" when they are being threaten by his fellow countrymen....in the light of the recent reports on the treatment of women I don't think it is safe. Also the captain of the blind cricket team was also mistreated....by being given toxic chemicals ...that sort of pathetic behavior should be of concern.
Though I am Indian, but I believe if BCCI is not able to host Pakistani team because of internal political strife then the tournament should be shifted to a different country where all qualified teams can participate. There should not be different standards for different countries, if World Cup was shifted out of Pakistan because of security concerns(I believe rightly so) then the same should be done with India given that BCCI and govt does not have the guts to stand up to few thousand hoodlums. ICC needs to show some character and I hope other teams they speak up as well for the sake of cricket.
@Yoghurt lover: But interestingly you are not against visiting a Pakistani site.
@Shazia Bangash: Are you saying Pakistan gets paid to lose when others want them to?
@Yoghurt lover: Who says "Personally I am against Pak team visiting India."...Well why wouldn't you be, everytime we come we embarras your team infront of whole of india!!.
Even if they move the Pakistan matches to another veenue in India, what happens if Pakistan reaches the semis? Will India pay to ensure Pakistan loses early?
If the corrupt BCCI cannot organize the matches, it should hang its head in shame and move the venue to a different country.
Personally I am against Pak team visiting India.
@Vikas: your very rude and arrogant.
@Indian: really stupid comment in this article lol.
This is real India, they have small hearts & no love for peace. They should act against Shiv sena terrorists.
Salala resulted into blockade of supply routes not banning sports between Pakistan and NATO states.
if Pak does not fix the problem of supporting terrorism , days r not far , they will be most unwelcome peoples in any part of world.
@Indian: Why do you guys are so found of commenting just after reading the news title? GO OVER THE NEWS before gracing us with your usual one liners. Its BCCI and SHIV SENA....
No one in India is against the International tournaments which are being held in India and in which Pakistan is playing. Only Pakistan is not allowed to play at national level tournaments in India and of course bi-lateral series. No tournament with Pakistan is worth the lives of Indian citizens including the soldiers of Indian armed forces. To understand the feeling of Indians, Pakistanis should recall, Salala incident.
Pakistan requires such prohibition from international group of countries specially from india as they are always negotiating india as a good and helpfull neighbour country.
Jealous PCB where even Bangladesh refuses to come :)
@vikas: PCB has no issues with sending the team to India. Its the BCCI which is in a fix. They know, they can't host the event with Shiv Sena just round the corner. It was not the decision of Pakistani players or PHF to withdraw from Indian hockey league. The decision was taken by the organizers.
@vikas you sounds over-smart, your gov. should take action against those shiv sena extremists.
Pakistan should not act smart. Full protection will be given to the team. They should play and go back home quietly.
COME ON BCCI Y TAKE TENSION TRANSFER ALL PAK MATCHES TO "SHARJHA OR ABU DHABI".